Cryogenic applicator with probe means



June 22, 1965 F. G.PYTRYGA GRYOGENIG APPLICATOR WITH PROBE MEANS Filed July 26. 1963 FIG FRANK G. PYTRYGA FIG.' 5 BYQHMLJVV' FIG.I

United States Patent 3,190,081 v CRYOGENIC APPLICATOR WITH PROBE MEANS Frank G. Pytryga, Elizabeth, NJ., assigner to Sulfrian Cryogenics Incorporated, Hillside, NJ., a corporation of New Jersey j Filed July 26, 1963, Ser. No. 297,866 Y 16 Claims. (Cl. 62-293) This invention relates to a cryogenic apparatus, it relates `in particular to a cryogenic device adapted to provide on contact, a low temperature at specific areas.

lMany oper-ations and treatments in the eld .of scientiiic research and surgery have advanced in technique to accomplish results heretofore `inlpossible to obtain. A considerable number of such advances have been enhanced to a great extent by the use of Various devices adapted to chill discrete parts of the body, particularly at locations Where surgical incisions are to be made or where direct c-ontact temperature reduction is desired. I,

While certain lapplications of the chillingtechnique require ooding or inundating an area in a cooling atmosphere such as an inert gas or the like, other more sophisfticated operations necessitate treatment of only a limited area of the body so that excessive coolingwould be a detriment.

-For example, in the practice of surgery about Y.the eyes such as in the removal of cataracts, the iiooding technique is undesirable. Devices generally in use today embody the iiooding principal by the use of carbon dioxide or liquids s uch as acetone. `When these devices are employed it is not .only diicult to control the `area being treated but also to control the ow of the cooling medium to establish and maintain a desired chilled condition in the tissues of the area aifected.l

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a device particularly adapted for withdrawing heat from a localized yarea of a body or an object to be treated.

It is a further object to provide a manually operable apparatus for use in surgical and similar operations which require rapid chilling of only discrete localized areas.

A still further object is lto provide a manually operable device of the type described adapted to eiciently withdraw heat from a small portion of a body to be treated without affecting areas immediately adjacent to the treated por-tion.

. Another object is to provide a portable surgical device of the type described for withdrawing heat from a localized area while maintaining adjacent .areas free of lorw temperature iluids or gases.

Still another object is to provide a cryogenic apparatus employing a vaporizable liquid having means vfor avoiding excessive frosting of critical portions of the apparatus during normal usage.

These and other objectives of the invention not particularly mentioned are achieved by providing a manually operated lightweight cryogenic applicator for use inv sur- -gical .and similar operations, said device holding a supply of low temperature vaporizable liquid as the chilling medium. A lthermally conductive probe element depend-s from the device and includes a contact end adapted to engage a localized area of the surface to betrea-ted. An enlarged portion of the probe is disposed in heat exchange relation with the supply of `chilling medium to establish a sharp temperature gradient between the probe contact and the enlarged area to induce a rapid transfer of heat from surfaces contiguous with the contact end for a sustained period of time. Means associated with the applicator forms an envelope conning a layer of atmospheric air about cold surfaces to minimize the formation of frost along chilled surfaces.

3,190,08l Patented June 22, 1965 ICC In the drawings; Y Y e y FIGURE 1 is an elevation View' in crossLsection of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

vFIGURE 2 is a view in cross-section takena'long line 2-2 of FIGURE l. Y

FIGURE 3 is a view in cross-'section taken `along line 3--3 of FIGURE 1. Y Y Y FIGURE 4 is a segmentary view of `an enlarged scale of a portion of the embodiment shown in FIGURE l.

FIGURE 5 isa view on an enlarged scale of an alternate embodiment of the probe element shown in FIG- URES 1 and 2.

`FIGURE 6 is a segmentary view on .an enlarged scale and in cross-section of an alternate embodiment of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 1.

Referring to the iigures, one embodiment of the apparatus contemplated is illustrated and includes in general an elongated inner jacketed container holding a pool of a vaporizable liquid. The exposed operating elementof the device includes a highly thermally conductive probe having a contact end adapted to engage an area to be chilled for conducting heat to the liquid pool.

As seen in lFIGURE 1, the inner `container 10 Iformed of :a low thermally conductive metal suchas stainless f steel, includes an elongated portion 11 preferably of cylin drical conguration defining a main reservoir '12 for holding a supply of low temperature vaporizable medium such as liquid nitrogen or liquid oxygen. The main reservoir 12 of the inner container is provided with an elongated inlet .13 disposed substantially 'axially o-f the cylindrical container `and extending longitudinally thereof into the upper or inletend of the reservoir 12. Inlet .13 is associated with a convoluted section 15 ofthe inner container 13 to form therewith an annular storage area 14. The lfunction of :the latter is to prevent liquid from escaping from main reservoir 12 fwhen the apparatus is tilted or turned during normal usage. rThus, While the device is normally supported in an upright or vertical positionas shown so that the cooling lmedium gravitates to the container sump, 'when the device reclines on its side the cooling medium flows into the upper :annular storage area 14 Without entering Iinlet passage '13.

The lower or neck end 16 forming a continuation of inner container -11 is Isubstantially smaller than the cylindrical -upper portion and deines la sump t17 communicating with, the main reservoir =12 in which `a pool of the cooling medium 'will collect. A cold block 18 to be hereinafter dsecribed more completely -is axed to the neck end 16 of the inner container at the bottom of the sump 17 and forms a wall which is normally in direct contact 'with cooling medium held in the sump.

A cylindrical bafde member 19 disposed .about the neck 16 of inner container .'10 but spaced slightly therefrom deiines an annular channel '21. The upper end of the bathe 19 sealably engages the inner container wall adjacent the upper end of the neck 16 while the lower end of the baiiie extends slightly forward of the 4cold lblock 18.

The annular channel 21 is open :at the lower side to the atmoshpere. Channel 2-1 includes a separatingor spacing means '22 providing an :interwall separation of from about .O20 to .060V inches. The separating element may be made of diberglass thread or a similar material having the approximate thickness of the channel 21 'which is wrapped and held in place about the container neck portion 16.

The primary function of baille 19 is to minimize or avoid accumulation of frost on chilled members. Such frost accumulation results when atmospheric ,air contain- -ing .an amount yof moisture enters the apparatus particularly at the probe end thus contacting block 18 and other members. Since a frost layer .tends to decrease thermal conductivity of the .block and probe elements, ythe formation of an envelope to maintain a static air massY about affectedrsur'faces at least minimizes frosting.

VA vacuum jacket 2.3i'l1aving a configuration approxii threaded portion 37kwith a mating that that the container is spaced `outwardly of the i rinner container F11 wall to deiine -an'evacuated insulating space-24. Inner container y111 is Isupportably maintained lwithin the evacuated space 241at the'upper end-by elongated inlet y13 which is welded or'soldered to an opening atthe jacket 23 upper end to forman annular vaclnlrnk tight seal.` Similarly, the lower end of jacket 23 is fastened Y :at ,an yannular vacuum ltight sea-Ito the'peiphenal edge .of

baie 219 disposed forward oflcold 'block 13. Y

To supplement the insulating function of space 24, a thin layer tof gold or lother radiant reliective' metal is applied to the jacket inside wall. Further, space 24 may be provided if desired, with .a suitable granulated or wrapped insulation embodying both thermal and Iradiant v-reliective characteristics. Y 4

Following standard procedure for evacuating sealed' double, wall containers, an opening 25 is provided in jacket 23 communicating with inner space 24 and adapted lto att-ach to a vacuum'pump or Vother evacuating means. Opening 26 may be provided with `a threadedportion and The lower end of jacket 23 adjacent'the container neck terminates in a tapered or pointed contact end [41.

heat along the tip, into ythercold block 18 and thence'to chilling medium held in sump 17 where it is absorbed.

While the tip end 41'of probe element- 32 is 'presently shown as lbeing a pointed section, it is'under'stood that for a particular condition Vor application, the -actualtdisposition or coniguration ofthe `ti-p may be adapted to-con-` `formi to a given'surface or t-o. be received in-aparticular an attaching cap 27 or may'alternatively be permanently sealed after the vacuumhasv been established.

16 is provided with a fhand grip or collar 28 made of plastic materiah As suggested by the name, the collar affords means for manipulating and guiding the applicator into place during an operation; While 'plastic material is suggested for collar 23, cork or rubber or othercellularV structured materials having low thermal conductivity properties miaybe used to prevent heat How from the operators hand grippingtheapplicator and conversely, to

Aprevent undue chilling of the operators hand;

The lower end of jacket l3 is provided with Va thin A walled cup-like plastic member 29 forming an air cover.

This member is preferably made of a fluorocarbon resin .type material and is :slidably retained on the jacket outer wall although it may be threadedly held in place or posi- `tioned by other similar means. i

Air cover 29 includes a constricted opening 31 extend- Iing'axially through the lower wall thereof and shaped to closely lit about the protrudingportion of probe 32. Thisk joint between air cover 29 and the probe, is not airtight. However, the constructionof the'ann'ular channel 21 and the clearance between the Wall of the air cover 29 and the adjacent surface of the probe 32 represented bythe opening 32 is such that Yonly limited communication and change ofair will occur withthe surrounding atmosphere; Y Cover 29 is readily disengaged from the lower end of the jacket to permit release of the probe from the cold Yblock 18 when the probe is to be adjusted or changed; Y i

Referring to enlarged FIGURE, cold block 18 com prisesa 'plug-like relatively massiveme-mber formed of a highly conductive metal'such ascopper or silver. Oneface of said member isV adapted to'sealably engage-the ylower opening in sump 17, Vtheblock may be Vremovable butv airtight seal. i 1

The lower face of the cold block 18 includes a bore 33 adapted to threadedly'receive a probe Velement 32. vThe' bore 33 includes a portion threadedly formed to closely fit about mating threads on the probe element. VAn inner portion of thebore 33 is formed in a Vfrusta-conical seat 34 accurately machined to provide a close tit with the similarly formed end of the probe element. When cold block 18 and probe 32 are threadedly engaged, the latter is inserted into lthe bore 33 and rot-ated to yfirmly seat against the preferably soldered in placeso as to form a liquid and frusto-conical seat portion of the latter. Thus, there will Vvbe a maximum area of heat transfer sur-face between the cold block and the probe Velement regardless of the limited heat transfer surface at the threaded portion.

Referring to FIGURE 4, the probe element inV general includes l,a body -36 having the previously mentioned including `vent means for relieving pressure developedv area.. For example, when Vthe probe element is :to be brought into contact witha portion of the eye, the conf` tact end 41 is preferably lprovided with an oval shape having al concave surface-adapted to mate with the corre-` sponding surface on a lens capsule.` f Y i It maybe readily seen that when the contact lend or tip 41 is applied to a surface there Willbe a rapid withdrawal Yof heat from the surface through the shank 39 of the probe element due to the sharp temperature gradient normallymaintained between the back end of the Vcold block 1-8 and the element contact end 41.

While not Vpresently illustrated, the probe element may be provided'withmean's to aid in assembling thesame Y with the cold block 118. lIt should lbe noted however that because of the use Vto which the instant device. is applied, the Vprobe element may be subject to frequent removal and replacement for sterilizing purposes and for `application to varied surfaces, Y

Under normal4V operating conditions, main reservoir 12 of the apparatus isrprovided with a supply of vaporlzable liquid gas such as liquid'nitrogen or liquidoxygenintroduced through inlet 1-3-at the container upper end. This opening is optionally provided with a suitable cover43 within the container reservoir due tothe constantvaporizatin of the chilling liquefied gas.

Since the applicator its nornrally maintained in a verti-y cal attitude, the chilling medi-um will gravitate to thesump 17 and be supported o-n the upper surface of the cold block i 1S. Because the-capacity of the reservoir-fand sumpgare substantially limited, it will be necessary to frequently replace the supply of continuously vaporizingliquid gas whether or not the-applicator is being putto use or is Standing idle.Y Y Y Y Since the air cover or cap 29 carried on the lower end of jacket23'and contacting the probe shank -39 does not form an ,airtighty closure, there will be as mentioned, aI limited exchange of atmospheric ai-r along the shank 39 and into annular channel 21. The enveloping effect achieved by the baie 19 and the outer wall `of the container neck 16 assured that the amount of frost formed onfthe chilled forward parts such as the col-d block vand i-nner part versa.A

From the Yforegoing it is readily seen that the use of the 1 present invention provides a valuable lflexible tool which -1 may be readily applied 'to a Ilarge variety of scientific expernnental and surgical operations and particularly with reference to the latter, the removal of cataracts from the` eye and similar operations where only local-ized cooling is required. By simply replacing the probe with-an element f that is peculiarly suit-ed to a particular job, the area froml which heat is to be withdrawn may be varied within cerfrusto-conical or tapered seat s 38 disposed adjacent to the threaded section-for mating t with the corresponding seat 34,in the cold block. An elongated shank 39 protrudes axially from thebody and o tain limitations governed by the practical size of the probe contact end. v r l YIt should be understood that while the foregoing description provides a preferred embodiment of the apparatus certain modifications and changes may be made in the structural arrangement and relationships of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is: y

1. An applicator for withdrawing heat from a localized area on a surface comprising:

(a) a thermally insulated reservoir having an inlet means for charging a supply of vaporizable fluidY therein, and means on said reservoir to vent vapors therefrom, A

(b) an insulated neck section connected at one end Y with the reservoir, Y

(c) saidneck section including walls forming a chamber in fluid communication with the reservoir to receive a portion of the vaporizable uid present in said reservoir, l

(d) ajthermally vconductive support means connected to and forming at least a portion of said walls in said neck section to permit heat exchange relation with the vaporizable fluid in the chamber,

(e) probe means for engaging the local area of the surface from which heat is to be removed,

(f) and said probe means secured to said support means to maintain a temperature gradient and to cause heat to iloW from the local area of Ythe surface being cooled to the vaporizable fluid.

2. In an applicator as claimed in claim 1 wherein the probe means is removably connected to the support means and forms a highly conductive thermal joint therewith.

3. In an applicator as claimed in claim 1 wherein (a) the thermally conductive support means on -said neck section has a bore in one side thereof,

`(b) means in said bore defining a seating surface,

(c) and said probe means havingone end formed to mate with said seating surface when the probe means and the support means are in assembled position.

4. In an applicator as claimed inclaim 1 wherein (a) the thermally conductive support'means on said neck section has a bore on one side thereof,

(b) 'said bore having a. frusto-conical seat formed therein and means to connect the probe means,

(c) said probe means adapted to engage the connecting means in said bore and having one end adapted to matewith the frusto-conicalseat to form a highly conductive thermal joint. 5. An applicator for withdrawing heat from a localized area on a surface comprising:

(a) a `thermally insulated reservoir having an inlet means for charging a supply vof vaporizable uid therein, and means on said reservoir to vent vapors therefrom,

(b) an insulated neck `section'connected at one end with the reservoir,

(c) said neck section including walls forming a chamber in uid communication with the reservoir to receive a portion of the vaporizable fluid present in said reservoir,

(d) a thermally conductive support means connected to and forming at least a portion of said walls in said neck section to permit heat exchange relation with the vaporizable uid in the chamber,

(e) probe means for engaging the local area of the surface from which heat is to be removed,

(f) said support means having a substantially larger cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of the probe means,

(g) and said probe means secured to said support means to maintain a temperature gradient and to cause heat to flow from the local area of the surface being cooled to the vaporizable duid.

6. An applicator for Ywithdrawing heat Afrom area on a surface comprising: Y 4

(a) a thermally insulated reservoir having an inlet means for changing a supply of vaporizable uid therein, and means on said reservoir to vent vapors therefrom, Y i

(b) an insulated neck section connected at one end with the reservoir, i,

(c) said neck section including Walls forming a chamber in fluid communication with the reservoir to receive a portion of the vaporizable fluid present in said reservoir,r

(d) a thermally conductive support means connected to and forming at least a portion of said walls in said neck -section to permit heat exchange relation with the vaporizable fluid in the chamber,

(e) probe means for engaging the local area of the surface from which heat is to be removed,

,(f) said probe means secured to said support means -to maintain a temperature gradient and to cause heat to flow from the local area of the surface being cooled to the vaporizable fluid,

(g) and means disposed in the neck section about the walls thereof and the thermally conductive support means to define an air envelope for minimizing formation of frost on the portion of the neck section exposed to the atmosphere. Y

7. In an applicator as claimed in claim 6 wherein said means for minimizing formation of frost comprises, a cylindrical batiie having a length approximately that of said neck section, said cylindrical bale connectedat one end to the reservoir and disposed to extend about and in iocalized spaced relation to the walls of the neck section to form said air envelope in the'spacetherebetween.

8.1m an applicator as claimed in claim 6 wherein said means for minimizing formation' of frost comprises:

(a) aV cylindrical sleevelike member disposedV about and in spaced relation to said neck section,

(b) saidlsleevelike member connected to the thermally Y insulated reservoir about the end of said neck sec'- tion connected with the reservoir and disposed to extend about the end of the neck section remote from the connected end to a point beyond the thermally conductive support means,

(c) and means holding said sleevelike member in predetermined spaced relation to said elongated section and to limit the flow of air from the atmosphere about said elongated section.

Y 9. applicator for withdrawing heat from a localized area on a surface comprising:

l (a), a thermally insulated reservoir,`

(b) an elongated tubelike inlet means connected substantially coaxially in said reservoir lfor charging a supply of vaporizable iluid into saidV reservoir, and means to vent vapors from said reservoir,

(c) said inlet means to form an annular storage chamber in the reservoir for vaporizable fluid when the applicator is not in Vertical position,

(d) an insulated neck section connected at one end with the reservoir,

(e) said neck section including walls forming a chamber in fluid communication with the reservoir to receive a portion of the vaporizable fluid present in said reservoir,

(f) a thermally conductive support means connected to and forming at least a portion of said Walls in said neck section to permit heat exchange relation with the vaporizable fluid in the chamber,

(g) probe means for engaging the local area of the surface from which heat is to be removed,

(h) and said probe means secured to said support means to maintain a temperature gradient and to e cause heat to flow from the localarea of the surface being cooledto the vaporizable Huid.' Y Y 10. InA an applicator as claimed in claim 9 wherein the probe means'is removably connected to the support'means and Aforms a Yhighly conductive thermal joint therewith. v

V11. An applicator for withdrawing heat from a localized area on a surface comprising Y (a) a thermally insulated reservoir,

(b) an elongated Ytubelike inlet meansv connected sub-VV stantially coaxially in said reservoir for'charginga supply of vaporizable Vtluid, into vsaidreservoir,` and meansto vent vaporstfrorn said reservoir,

(c) saidV inlet means to form aufannularrstorageI chami ber in the reservoirfor vaporizable iluid when the applicator is not in vertical position, Y (d) an insulated neck Ywith the reservoir, c

' (e) said neck section including walls forminga chamsectionY connected at one endY Y ber in uid communication with 'the reservoir to receiver a portion of the vaporizable uid present in said reservoir, Y A Y (f) a thermally conductive support means connected to and forming at least a portion of said walls in said neck Ysection to permit heat exchange relation with Y.

the vaporizableuidin the chamber,

g) probe means for engaging the local area of the surface from which heat is to be removed, Y (h) and said probe means secured to said support means to maintain a temperature gradient and to cause heat to flow from the local area of the surface being cooled to the vaporizable uid,

(i) and means disposed about the neck section and the thermally conductive support lmeans to dene an air envelope for minimizing formation of frost on the portions of saidapplicatorjexposed to the at-` mosphere.v 12. 4In an applicator asV claimed (a) a cylindrical bale having a length approximately equal to that of said elongated section,

( b) said cylindrical bae connected at one end of said reservoir and disposed to extend about and in spaced relation Lto said elongated section to form said air envelope inthe space therebetween.

13. An applicator for withdrawing heat from a localized area on a surface comprising: Y

(a) a thermally-,insulated reservoir, t (b) an elongated tubelike inlet means connected substantially coaxially in said` reservoir for Vcharginga supply of vaporizable lluidY into said reservoirrand to vent vapors from said reservoir,` f

(c) said inlet means to 'form an annular i storage chambery in the reservoir for. .vaporizable fluid charged therein when ltherapplicator isnot invertic al position, Y Y

(d) an insulated neck `section connected at one end vwith the reservoir, Y

(e) said neck section including walls forming a chamber in uid communication with the reservoir to receive a portion of the vaporizable fluid present in said reservoir, t

in claim 11 wherein said means for minimizing formation of frost comprises:V

Y Y Va Y Y Y (f) a thermally conductive support means, connected to'and forming atleast a portion of said Walls in saidineck section to permit heat exchange relation With the vaporirzable uid in they chamber, j

(g) probe means for engaging the local area of Y surface from which heat is to be removed, f.

(h) said support means havingra substantially larger cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional the probe means, Y Y Y Y (i) said probe means removably connected to and` oparea of eratively associated with each support meansto formt ra highly conductive thermal joint and to maintain a temperature gradient -to causeheat to flow from the localpareaV of Ithe Vsurface being cooled to the l vaporizable fluid,

(j) and means disposed about the neck section and the` thermally conductive supportmeans to dene an 4air envelope forv minimizing formation ofrfrost on the` t portionsrof said applicator exposed to the atmos-t phere. e Y y 14.`In anapplicator as claimed in claim 173 .wherein (a) the thermally `conductive support means on saidV` neck'section has abore in Yone side thereof, (b) means in Vsaid bore dening a seatingsurface,`

(c) and said probe means having one end formed tor mate with said seating surface when the probe means and the support means are in assembled position.

15. In an applicator asV claimed in claim13 wherein i said means for minimizing formation offrost comprises: (a) a cylindrical sleevelike member' disposed about and in'spaced relation tosaid neck section,

(b) said sleevelike meinberrconnected tothe thermal.`

ly insulated reservoir about the end of saidneck section connected wtih the reservoir and disposed to extendA about the end ofthe neck section remotel (b) and an air cover about the probe end of'said neck section and adaptedy to receive said probe therethrough,l and to delimit flow of atmospheric `air into theV space formed about said neck `section bythe cylindrical bathe.

" References Cited by the Examiner l UNITED STATES PATENTS [l2/50 Chase v .'.r 627-293 Y 3/.54 TowseV 627-293 ROBERT A. OLEARY, Primary Examiner.

MEYER PERL/IN, Examiner.

'the t V3/46 "Dana 62-45 5/58 Perez M 62-514 

1. AN APPLICATOR FOR WITHDRAWING HEAT FROM A LOCALIZED AREA ON A SURFACE COMPRISING: (A) A THERMALLY INSULATED RESERVOIR HAVING AN INLET MEANS FOR CHARGING A SUPPLY OF VAPORIZABLE FLUID THEREIN, AND MEANS ON SAID RESERVOIR TO VENT VAPORS THEREFROM, (B) AN INSULATED NECK SECTION CONNECTED AT ONE END WITH THE RESERVOIR, (C) SAID NECK SECTION INCLUDING WALLS FORMING A CHAMBER IN FLUID COMMUNICATION WITH THE RESERVOIR TO RECEIVE A PORTION OF THE VAPORIZABLE FLUID PRESENT IN SAID RESERVOIR, (D) A THERMALLY CONDUCTIVE SUPPORT MEANS CONNECTED TO AND FORMING AT LEAST A PORTION OF SAID WALLS IN SAID NECK SECTION TO PERMIT HEAT EXCHANGE RELATION WITH THE VAPORIZABLE FLUID IN THE CHAMBER, (E) PROBE MEANS FOR ENGAGING THE LOCAL AREA OF THE SURFACE FROM WHICH HEAT IS TO BE REMOVED, (F) AND SAID WHICH HEAT IS TO BE REMOVED, TO MAINTAIN A TEMPERATURE GRADIENT AND TO CAUSE HEAT TO FLOW FROM THE LOCAL AREA OF THE SURFACE BEING COOLED TO THE VAPORIZABLE FLUID. 